U.S. patent application number 12/082489 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-16 for inventory placement.
Invention is credited to Justin Holmes, Peter Sispoidis, Jeffrey Thibeault.
Application Number | 20080254890 12/082489 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39854232 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080254890 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sispoidis; Peter ; et
al. |
October 16, 2008 |
Inventory placement
Abstract
A system and method for integrating inventory into a gaming
environment is provided, wherein the method includes generating
cell inventory for integration into the gaming environment,
generating content cells within the gaming environment, wherein the
content cells are configured to contain the cell inventory,
integrating the cell inventory into the gaming environment via the
content cells and analyzing the integration of at least one of the
cell inventory and the content cell to determine if the integration
of the cell inventory into the gaming environment is functioning
within predefined parameters.
Inventors: |
Sispoidis; Peter; (Guilford,
CT) ; Holmes; Justin; (Guilford, CT) ;
Thibeault; Jeffrey; (Branford, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE LAW OFFICES OF STEVEN MCHUGH, LLC
46 WASHINGTON STREET
MIDDLETOWN
CT
06457
US
|
Family ID: |
39854232 |
Appl. No.: |
12/082489 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60923264 |
Apr 12, 2007 |
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60923344 |
Apr 12, 2007 |
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60923345 |
Apr 12, 2007 |
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60923346 |
Apr 12, 2007 |
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60923351 |
Apr 12, 2007 |
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60923352 |
Apr 12, 2007 |
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60923353 |
Apr 12, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0202 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; G07F 17/3227
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method for integrating inventory into a gaming environment,
comprising: generating cell inventory for integration into the
gaming environment; generating content cells within the gaming
environment, wherein the content cells are configured to contain
the cell inventory; integrating the cell inventory into the gaming
environment via the content cells; and analyzing the integration of
at least one of the cell inventory and the content cell to
determine if the integration of the cell inventory into the gaming
environment is functioning within predefined parameters.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the cell inventory
includes, identifying available zones; planning number of cells to
be integrated into the gaming environment; and determining a
location for each planned cell within the gaming environment.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the cell inventory
further includes, identifying the content for each content cell;
and defining the content type of the content for each content
cell.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the content cells
include, integrating the content cell into the gaming environment
at a predetermined location within the gaming environment.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the content cells
includes creating cell definitions, wherein the cell definitions
include at least one of cell information and cell parameters.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein integrating the cell inventory
into the gaming environment includes integrating at least a portion
of the cell inventory into at least one content cell.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein integrating the cell inventory
into the gaming environment includes analyzing the placement of
each content cell within the gaming environment to assess at least
one content cell characteristic.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein integrating the cell inventory
into the gaming environment includes generating an impression
report.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the integration
includes analyzing at least one of the content cell and the content
inventory to verify application data functionality.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the integration
includes verifying that predefined metrics for each content cell
are correct.
11. A system for implementing a method for integrating inventory
into a gaming environment, the system comprising: a network having
a database; and a gaming device connected to the network and
configured to operate in a gaming environment, wherein at least one
of the gaming device and the network includes a means for,
generating cell inventory for integration into the gaming
environment; generating content cells within the gaming
environment, wherein the content cells are configured to contain
the cell inventory; integrating the cell inventory into the gaming
environment via the content cells; and analyzing the integration of
at least one of the cell inventory and the content cell to
determine if the integration of the cell inventory into the gaming
environment is functioning within predefined parameters.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein generating the cell inventory
includes, identifying available zones; planning number of cells to
be integrated into the gaming environment; and determining a
location for each planned cell within the gaming environment.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein generating the cell inventory
further includes, identifying the content for each content cell;
and defining the content type of the content for each content
cell.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein generating the content cells
include, integrating the content cell into the gaming environment
at a predetermined location within the gaming environment.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein generating the content cells
includes creating cell definitions, wherein the cell definitions
include at least one of cell information and cell parameters.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein integrating the cell inventory
into the gaming environment includes integrating at least a portion
of the cell inventory into at least one content cell.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein integrating the cell inventory
into the gaming environment includes analyzing the placement of
each content cell within the gaming environment to assess at least
one content cell characteristic.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein integrating the cell inventory
into the gaming environment includes generating an impression
report.
19. The method of claim 11, wherein analyzing the integration
includes analyzing at least one of the content cell and the content
inventory to verify application data functionality; and verifying
that predefined metrics for each content cell are correct.
20. A computer readable storage medium having computer executable
instructions for implementing a method for integrating inventory
into a gaming environment, the method comprising: generating cell
inventory for integration into the gaming environment; generating
content cells within the gaming environment, wherein the content
cells are configured to contain the cell inventory; integrating the
cell inventory into the gaming environment via the content cells;
and analyzing the integration of at least one of the cell inventory
and the content cell to determine if the integration of the cell
inventory into the gaming environment is functioning within
predefined parameters.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application relates to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/923,264 (Atty. Docket No. IGA-0001-P),
filed Apr. 12, 2007, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/923,344 (Atty. Docket No. IGA-0002-P), filed Apr. 12, 2007, U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/923,345 (Atty. Docket
No. IGA-0003-P), filed Apr. 12, 2007, U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/923,346 (Atty. Docket No. IGA-0004-P),
filed Apr. 12, 2007, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/923,351 (Atty. Docket No. IGA-0005-P), filed Apr. 12, 2007, U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/923,352 (Atty. Docket
No. IGA-0006-P), filed Apr. 12, 2007, U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/923,353 (Atty. Docket No. IGA-0007-P),
filed Apr. 12, 2007, all of which are incorporated by reference
herein in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to in-game advertising and
more particularly to a method for placing advertising inventory
into a gaming environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] As the placement of realistic advertisements in video games
become more popular and acceptable in the gaming community, more
and more video game publishers are beginning to utilize video game
advertisements as a viable source of revenue. When placing
advertisements into a gaming environment, it is important that no
disruption or change in game play occur and that the advertisements
are not obtrusive and do not obscure the gaming environment.
Currently, most video games that employ realistic advertisements
typically utilize static advertising techniques that involve
placing each advertisement in the game as permanent textures (for
example, hard coded) throughout the gaming environment. As such,
advertising content and/or the location of the advertising content
in the gaming environment cannot change or move and other
advertisements cannot take its place. Thus, although there may be
multiple advertisements in one game, each advertisement is fixed
and is presented only at the location it has been hard-coded into
for that game. This is undesirable because the advertiser lacks the
ability to maximize the effect of the advertisement on the
gamer.
[0004] One way to increase the effectiveness of the advertisement
on the gamer is to utilize real-time dynamic advertising techniques
which allow for the targeting of advertisements to specific gamers
or groups of gamers. These dynamic advertising techniques allow
multiple advertisements from different sources (i.e. advertisers)
to be rotated through the same advertisement space during game
play. These dynamic advertising techniques allow for different
content types, such as Billboard, Logo, Video, Audio and Beacons,
to be used to display a variety of advertisements to the gamer.
Each of these content types is capable of receiving and displaying
multiple advertisements throughout the game for display to the
gamer. For example, a racing game may have a billboard display
advertising one product as the racing car goes around the curve and
passes the billboard. Whereas, subsequent times the race car goes
around the curve and passes the billboard, entirely different
advertisements may be displayed. Thus, dynamic advertising not only
enhances the reality of the game's content, it maximizes the
revenue generating capability of the software product by generating
multiple revenue streams, as opposed to one revenue stream
generated using static advertising techniques.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A method for integrating inventory into a gaming environment
is provided and includes generating cell inventory for integration
into the gaming environment; generating content cells within the
gaming environment, wherein the content cells are configured to
contain the cell inventory; integrating the cell inventory into the
gaming environment via the content cells; and analyzing the
integration of at least one of the cell inventory and the content
cell to determine if the integration of the cell inventory into the
gaming environment is functioning within predefined parameters.
[0006] A system for implementing a method for integrating inventory
into a gaming environment is provided and includes a network having
a database and a gaming device connected to the network and
configured to operate in a gaming environment, wherein at least one
of the gaming device and the network includes a device for,
generating cell inventory for integration into the gaming
environment, generating content cells within the gaming
environment, wherein the content cells are configured to contain
the cell inventory, integrating the cell inventory into the gaming
environment via the content cells and analyzing the integration of
at least one of the cell inventory and the content cell to
determine if the integration of the cell inventory into the gaming
environment is functioning within predefined parameters.
[0007] A computer readable storage medium having computer
executable instructions for implementing a method for integrating
inventory into a gaming environment is provided, wherein the method
includes generating cell inventory for integration into the gaming
environment, generating content cells within the gaming
environment, wherein the content cells are configured to contain
the cell inventory, integrating the cell inventory into the gaming
environment via the content cells and analyzing the integration of
at least one of the cell inventory and the content cell to
determine if the integration of the cell inventory into the gaming
environment is functioning within predefined parameters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
present invention will be more fully understood from the following
detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying figures in which like elements
are numbered alike:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a high level schematic block diagram illustrating
one embodiment of a gaming system, in accordance with the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a lower level schematic block diagram illustrating
the integration server of the embodiment of the gaming system of
FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for integrating inventory into a gaming environment, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for generating an inventory for each title, in accordance
with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for implementing the inventory cells into a game title, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of cell placement change, in accordance with the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a method for
performing QA analysis, in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] In accordance with the present invention, a method for
efficiently delivering quality dynamic advertising is provided,
where the method acts to keep the gaming environment fresh while
providing additional revenue streams by saving time and maximizing
advertising space. In the long run, time is saved because the work
to place advertising into the gaming environment is typically
performed only once (as with static ads), but then new ads can be
placed into the game as desired (for example, on demand) without
any changes to the game from that point on. Thus, with quality
dynamic advertising, any advertisement space may be used for
multiple advertisements, singly or simultaneously, while enhancing
the players gaming experience. Although the present invention may
be discussed herein in terms of a Software Development Kit (SDK),
it should be appreciated that any type and/or configuration of
application software may be used to practice the present invention,
such as a generic SDK and/or an application specific SDK. Also, the
software application may be embedded, in whole or in part.
[0017] It should be appreciated that as used herein inventory
refers to a cell, and/or a repository of cells, or locations, where
advertising content can be placed across one or more games. As
such, inventory placement refers to where the cells are placed in
the gaming environment to display desired advertisements, wherein
the advertising content may be placed in the cells. Accordingly,
cells can be thought of simply as an interface between the network
and the game world. Thus, a cell may be considered as a container
for the advertisement content and may be in the form of any type of
data suitable to the desired end purpose, such as freeform data,
image data, video data and/or audio data. As such, the advertising
content can be loaded into the cell for display (i.e. picture,
video and/or audio) or communication (i.e. audio) to a gamer within
the gaming environment during game play. It is contemplated that
there may be multiple different advertising unit types, such as
Audio type, Video type, Billboard type, Logo type and Beacon type,
wherein the audio type may refer to audio, video type may refer to
video, billboard type may refer to a billboard-like sign, logo type
may refer to a poster-like sign, and beacon type may refer to the
placement of static ads. Moreover, it is contemplated that any type
of advertising content may be implemented with the invention,
including but not limited to 3-Dimensional and/or holographic
content.
[0018] In some cases, the proper placement of advertising content
is important because the advertising unit type may need to fit
naturally within the gaming environment, as well as also be
consumable during the normal traffic flow for the zone in which the
advertisement is placed, although the invention is not limited to
such cases. It should be appreciated that the zone is at least a
portion of the game screen in which the advertisement content will
appear (if the screen is divided into multiple "displays", then it
is conceivable that multiple zones can be displayed
simultaneously). For example, the menu screen may be one zone, the
load screen (such as, what's on the screen when the game is being
loaded) may be another zone and the in-game gaming environment
(i.e. anywhere during game play) may be a third zone. Moreover, it
is contemplated that a zone may be definable and may be broken into
sub-zones which may or may not have all or some of the
characteristics of its `parent` zone.
[0019] In order to properly define the cell inventory for the
gaming environment, it is contemplated that each cell has at least
one predetermined characteristic which can be invoked without being
disruptive to the natural game play, such as a duration
characteristic which has a predetermined minimum and/or maximum
view size and/or view angle for a minimum display time as defined
for the advertising unit type placed into each zone of the
game.
[0020] In accordance with the present invention, although the
concepts as discussed herein are discussed with regards to a gaming
environment as follows, any type of gaming environment or
configuration may be used. Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a
gaming system 10 for implementing the method of the invention
showing the connectivity between the elements is shown and includes
a user gaming device 20 having gaming software 30 and application
software (SDK) 40, a gaming server 50 (optional) and an integration
server 60 which includes advertiser information 70. In accordance
with the present invention, a gaming server is optional and the
game may be wholly or partially implemented via one or more
computer(s) and/or gaming device(s) as desired. During gameplay,
the gaming software 30 communicates with the gaming server 50
(optional) to facilitate the gameplay and the SDK 40 communicates
with the integration server 60 to facilitate the integration of
advertising content. Referring to FIG. 2, a lower level block
diagram illustrating the elements of the integration server 60. As
shown, the interaction within the integration server 60 is
illustrated by a first set of arrows 75 which represents the flow
of impressions through the integration server 60, a second set of
arrows 80 which represents the flow of advertising content through
the integration server 60 and a third set of arrows 85 which
represents the flow of control messages (i.e. figuring out a user
location, start session message, etc.) through the integration
server 60.
[0021] One embodiment of the present invention is described
hereinafter and includes application software, such as a Software
Development Kit (SDK), which initiates a gaming session by
communicating a StartSession request with the server, wherein the
server uses the IP address of the connected peer(s) (i.e. the
initiator of the gaming session) to lookup a unique location ID
associated with the geographical location of the IP address. Once
the geographical location of the IP address is identified, the
latitude/longitude position(s) of the geographical location of the
IP address can be mapped to unique location IDs to allow an
advertiser to target media to a specific market(s). It should be
appreciated that this dynamic market assignment may be based on one
or a plurality of parameters/properties as desired, such as (but
not limited to) location ID (based on latitude/longitude of
client's IP address), user ID (a unique number associated with each
player), application ID (a unique number associated with each game
title), business rules logic, predetermined business rules, dynamic
market assignment executed by business rules and business rules
that may be defined in the application and executed by the location
server at each request. For example, a request in this context may
be a software call for an assignment to a content server.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a method 300 for integrating inventory into a gaming
environment is provided and includes generating cell inventory, as
shown in operational block 302. Cells are generated and the cell
inventory is integrated into the gaming environment using the
generated cells, as shown in operational block 304. A quality
assurance analysis is then conducted, as shown in operational block
306. This is performed to verify that the integration of cell
inventory into the gaming environment is functioning as desired. In
accordance with the present invention, each of the above elements
is described in greater detail hereinafter.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, a block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a method 400 for generating an inventory is shown, in
accordance with the present invention. The method 400 includes
identifying the available zones within the gaming environment and
determining at least one actual location of each cell within the
available zones that are planned to contain advertising content or
tracking information, as shown in operational block 402. Typically,
the actual location of each cell is determined using level maps
and/or screen shots, but any method suitable for determining the
actual cell location can be used. The method 400 also includes
defining the advertising content type for each cell and/or placing
the advertising content into the identified cell locations, as
shown in operational block 404. It should be appreciated that
different venues for defining an advertising content type may be
supported by the present invention as discussed further
hereinafter.
[0024] For example, one embodiment may involve, during the
inventory creation process, identifying the best and/or preferred
places in the gaming environment for the advertisement cell or
cells to be placed. This may be accomplished using various methods
and/or parameters as desired, such as preference, exposure time of
cell, angle of deflection, etc. Once the desired advertisement
location is identified, a mock-up using screenshots from the game,
overlaid with advertisement cell placements (which m ay be
corrected for perspective, size and advertisement ratio) can be
generated to give a realistic visual sample of what the
advertisements might look like during game play. Depending on the
game (e.g. game type), the areas that will have the most impact
with the player and/or with the impression may be selected. For
instance, in a racing title game, a hairpin turn may be selected
because the player is naturally forced to slow down and/or direct
their attention to a specific area, or in a First-Person Shooter
game, an area near spawn points or choke points on the maps may be
selected because that is where there would naturally be lots of
action. In other instances, proper and/or best placement of the
advertisement may be more challenging, such as for instance a
Fantasy-based MMO (massively multi-player online) or a Flash-based
web game with simple graphics and may rely on common psychological
consistencies of gamers (i.e. for example, to look in a specific
direction if sound is emanating from the direction). In these or
other circumstances the advertisements may be placed on the menus
and/or loading screens. As such, the best or preferred placement of
the advertisement may be based on a variety of factors as desired,
such as personal choice or on a case-by-case basis as desired using
parameters developed using knowledge of the industry, the games in
general and/or real life.
[0025] In accordance with the invention, the method 400 may further
include creating cell (inventory) definitions for the gaming
system, as shown in operational block 406. One way this may be
accomplished is by generating desired information/parameters. For
example, identifiers that include a descriptive field used to best
define each cell being used for advertisement content or tracking
may be generated. Moreover, zones may be defined as desired, such
as (but not limited to) Load Screen, Menu Screen, Lobby Screen,
Interstitial, In-Game Environment, In-Game HUD and/or E-mail.
Advertisement types may also be defined, where the advertisement
type for each identified cell throughout the entire game may be
selected and/or used to identify the correct or desired venues for
advertisement placement into the gaming environment(s).
Furthermore, an aspect ratio may be defined and/or selected from
the standard ratios available that best fit the gaming environment
and a format may be defined and/or selected from the standard
formats available for billboard and logos (such as, but not limited
to BMP, JPG, DDS and PNG), for Videos (such as BINK, MPG, and AVI)
and for Audio (such as MP3 and WAV). Additionally, cell categories
may be selected and may be assigned a default cell category.
[0026] It should be appreciated that a cell may also act as a place
holder that is defined by one or more parameters as desired, such
as an ID number, its aspect ratio (such as, ratio of width to
height), its advertising unit type (such as, billboard, logo,
video, audio, beacon) and/or its format (such as, BMP, PNG, JPG,
etc.). For example, consider the situation where a cell is defined
as "cell ID 123" having a billboard advertising unit type with a
BMP format and an aspect ratio of 8.times.1. These parameters may
be used to match cell type to content type and/or ensure the pieces
of content display and/or track properly. Additionally, a zone may
be a location in the game where an advertisement goes (such as a
menu screen or a lobby) and may be identified by a zone ID.
Moreover, other identifiers may be used to identify a content type
to the application software and/or the database. These parameters
can identify and/or define supported formats which allow game
titles to be compatible with most current advertising standards
across all game titles. This aids in maximizing the advertisement
space available and/or enables revenue generating advertisement
content to be posted across a variety of integrated game
titles.
[0027] When the inventory for each title has been generated,
implementation of the inventory cells into the game may be
accomplished. Referring to FIG. 5, a block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a method 500 for implementing the inventory cells
into a game title is shown. In accordance with the invention method
500 includes integrating each target inventory cell into the gaming
environment, as shown in operational block 502, and may be
accomplished via a level map and/or a screen shot. The placement of
each cell is tested for a `natural fit` into the game and/or the
impression reporting from the cell may be evaluated, as shown in
operational block 504. This may be accomplished by comparing the
characteristics of each cell with a comparable `real world`
situation and/or expectation and adjusting the cell characteristics
accordingly, wherein the cell placement may be changed to match the
level map, the screen shot and/or any other parameter(s), as
desired. It should be appreciated that this process may be repeated
as necessary until the desired/required results are achieved for
each cell identified for the inventory. For example, based on
impression performance and/or the "natural fit," cell placement may
be adjusted for the "best game fit" while achieving desired
advertising performance goals. As such, the process for adjusting
the cell may include 1) implementing the cell, evaluating the cell,
assessing the cell for fit into the gaming environment, the feel
and/or performance of the cell, adjusting the cell base on the
prior steps and/or repeating the prior steps until the desired
result is achieved.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 6, one embodiment of cell placement change
is shown. In this case, the cells 600 may reside in a database 602
and then may be copied to a cache file 604, where the cache file
604 is typically on the user's PC but may reside elsewhere, such as
remotely and/or locally. The cells 600 may then be transmitted to
the game software/SDK 606 as needed, wherein this may continue
throughout the game play with the cells being sent to the game
software as needed and/or as desired.
[0029] The method 500 further includes generating an impression
report, as shown in operational block 506, where an impression
report is typically a record of a viewing of advertising content
which was on screen within all of its boundary conditions based on
the cells defined advertising unit type and may be used to measure
the number of quality impressions being generated. An impression
report may be generated based upon at least one characteristic of a
valid viewing of a given advertisement content, where the
characteristic may be based on various factors as desired, such as
quality (perceived, observed and/or calculated), quantity, game
environment, enhancement of players experience, etc. For example,
the top game performance may yield a certain number of quality
impressions per hour per user, wherein a lower number of quality
impressions per hour per user may not be very productive and a
higher number of quality impressions per hour per user may begin to
saturate the target market (e.g. the regions or target audience the
advertisements are aimed at) and effectively reduce the value of
the impressions. Accordingly, cells may be integrated into the game
space as desired to achieve desired results based on the above. For
example, cells may be integrated into the gaming environment to
achieve an average view size, angle and/or duration which may meet
or exceed predefined boundary conditions established for that given
advertising unit type while still ensuring that the ad placement
replicates real world environment conditions.
[0030] The present invention may also include performing QA
analysis to ensure that the integration of cell inventory into the
gaming environment is functioning as desired. Referring to FIG. 7,
a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method 700 for
performing QA analysis is shown, in accordance with the invention.
The method 700 includes verifying basic application data
functionality for the Application ID, Zones, Content Types, Correct
Content and/or Impression Reporting, as shown in operational block
702. For example, the game may be checked for proper basic software
application functionality (i.e. that calls are made correctly) to
ensure that 1) advertising content is received and/or placed
properly into a local cache file, 2) advertising content is pulled
based on its biased-random weighting from the local cache file
and/or is properly place into the defined cell for game play,
and/or 3) advertising content is properly tracked while on screen
within its boundary conditions. An impression may be generated
based upon the satisfaction of desired parameters such as when
advertising content is on screen within all of its boundary
conditions based on the cells predefined advertising unit type and
then goes outside of its boundary condition(s).
[0031] The method 700 further includes verifying that each of the
defined cell metrics are correct, as shown in operational block
704. For example, this may include verifying that the impressions
are being reported correctly, verifying that each defined cell
correctly reads key-values and/or thresholds and/or verifying that
each defined cell passes border condition tests for content
thresholds. It should be appreciated that key-values and thresholds
may be predetermined parameters that are associated with each cell
definition to determine/define the boundary conditions for the cell
based upon a characteristic of that cell. Additionally, the border
condition tests may include tests which validate the game operation
and/or the application software, track the content ID, track zone
ID, track content type, track which elements respond correctly to
activate & expire dates and/or track times, per user view limit
and display after settings, as well as tracking and/or reporting of
impressions if within predetermined boundary conditions, such as
MinSize, MaxSize, Deflection and/or MinTime on screen.
[0032] Additionally, the method 700 may include verifying title
inventory statistics, as shown in operational block 706, such as
whether each defined cell picks up and/or displays the correct
content and/or whether each defined cell will prevent the display
of incorrect content. It is contemplated that the game may continue
to work with no content and/or incorrect content available for each
defined cell. It should be appreciated that the QA process may be
accomplished using various approaches as desired, such as by
monitoring some or all network calls made from the game to validate
proper implementation, tracking each cell and/or all of the defined
parameters against predefined boundary conditions, validating the
local cache file for content and/or impressions on the platform,
etc. This data may then be compared and/or validated against known
content and/or what impressions are being reported.
[0033] It should be appreciated that the method of the present
invention may be embodied, in whole or in part, via software,
firmware and/or hardware. Accordingly, the invention may be
implemented via any type or configuration of software suitable to
the desired end purpose, such as a generic SDK and/or an
application specific SDK. Additionally, it should also be
appreciated that the method of the present invention may be
embodied, in whole or in part, via instruction using training
manuals (i.e. text based materials), seminars, classes, and/or any
other media suitable to the desired end purpose. Moreover, it
should be appreciated that although the method of the present
invention may be implemented, in whole or in part, via software,
hardware, firmware and/or any combination thereof, it is also
contemplated that the method of the present invention may also be
implemented, in whole or in part, without the use of software,
hardware, firmware and/or any combination thereof. For example,
without the full or partial use of any software, hardware and/or
firmware and/or with any combination thereof, but rather via
instruction using PC based software and/or classroom instruction
with text materials (i.e. books, pamphlets, handouts, tapes,
optical media, etc.).
[0034] Moreover, it should be appreciated that each of the elements
of the present invention may be implemented in part, or in whole,
in any order suitable to the desired end purpose. In accordance
with an exemplary embodiment, the processing required to practice
the method of the present invention, either in whole or in part,
may be implemented, wholly or partially, by a controller operating
in response to a machine-readable computer program. In order to
perform the prescribed functions and desired processing, as well as
the computations therefore (e.g. execution control algorithm(s),
the control processes prescribed herein, and the like), the
controller may include, but not be limited to, a processor(s),
computer(s), memory, storage, register(s), timing, interrupt(s),
communication interface(s), and input/output signal interface(s),
as well as combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. It
should also be appreciated that the embodiments disclosed herein
are for illustrative purposes only and include only some of the
possible embodiments contemplated by the present invention.
[0035] Furthermore, the invention may be wholly or partially
embodied in the form of a computer or controller implemented
processes. It should be appreciated that any type of computer
system (as is well known in the art) and/or gaming system may be
used and that the invention may be implemented via any type of
network setup, including but not limited to a LAN and/or a WAN
(wired or wireless). The invention may also be embodied in the form
of computer program code containing instructions embodied in
tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives,
and/or any other computer-readable medium, wherein when the
computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer or
controller, the computer or controller becomes an apparatus for
practicing the invention. The invention can also be embodied in the
form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a
storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer or
controller, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as
over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via
electromagnetic radiation, wherein when the computer program code
is loaded into and executed by a computer or a controller, the
computer or controller becomes an apparatus for practicing the
invention. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor the
computer program code segments may configure the microprocessor to
create specific logic circuits.
[0036] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it
is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular
embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out
this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments
falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless
specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not
denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second,
etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.
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